Rumiko Takahashi © Inuyasha, Band of Seven, and Koga, and Inuyasha Group

Original plotline © ilovebutch19, black-banryu, jaimed1968, and kittyb78

Revised Plotline © ilovebutch19

Jai © jaimed1968, Charlie © black-banryu, Kitty © kittyb78, and Bobbi © ilovebutch19

The next morning:

Jakotsu and Bankotsu woke before everyone and walked outside the camp to talk.

Bankotsu needing a drink really bad looked at his brother and ordered, "Jakotsu, go to the village and get a bottle of their finest sake. I need a drink so fucking bad! And be quick about it!" Sending his brother a glare he warned, "If you aren't back in twenty minutes… I'll skin ya!" Jakotsu jumped up and practically ran for the sake. Bankotsu sighing sat down Indian style and waited glowering.

Fifteen minutes later Jakotsu was back panting. "He…here big brother." He handed Bankotsu the sake. Bankotsu grinned, "Thanks." As he opened it and poured it into the bowls he'd snuck out of the cave earlier.

Twenty minutes later Jakotsu and Bankotsu had the last of the bottle about finished off. Ay I

Everyone else filed out of the cave. Kitty not seeing Bankotsu but knowing he couldn't be more then fifteen feet away, sighed sitting under a tree hugging her knees. Bankotsu sighed as he sat on a log, sipping sake with Jakotsu. After the last few days events he needed this break.

"Damn that wench is a bother." he thought to himself. "I get no more time just for myself..."

Jakotsu put his hands to his chest & writhed back & forth "Bankotsu!! Tell me more about when Inuyasha came to fight you!!"

Bankotsu threw his bowl to the ground as it broke into pieces & he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.

"Nothing to say, he came and tried to take my sacred jewel shard from me. I fought him off." he answered, lying and unsure if he wanted to mention his protecting Kitty or why.

He put his hands on his hips, about to get up as the Saimyosho buzzed down in front of the two mercenaries.

Bankotsu's eyes twitched and he made a fist. "Now what??"

He glared at the insect for a moment as it flew away and off into the sky.

Jakotsu turned his head. "What was it big brother?" curious as to what the bug had said and why his brother seemed so upset by it.

"Apparently Naraku needs us to go back to mount Hakurei." he said, looking at the ground ambiguously. "I hate that damn mountain.... And I hate answering to Naraku."

Bankotsu turned to Jakotsu quickly and slammed his fist into his other palm with confidence.

"That's the last straw Jakotsu. We're not going to listen to Naraku anymore!"

Jakotsu got on the edge of his seat, feeling conflicted. "But big brother, can't he take our jewel shards away at any moment?"

Bankotsu stood tall and wrapped himself in his arms, folding them as he puffed out his large and muscular chest. "I refuse to die. No one will stop me. I am Bankotsu, the leader of the band of seven! And I've never lost a battle to anyone!!!"' seriousness and confidence clear in his eyes. Jakotsu clapped as Bankotsu cracked his fingers. "Especially to a pathetic half demon like Naraku." He ground out disgusted.

Bankotsu grinned. "And if we need to, we can use-" Bankotsu pointed toward camp. "Those people as pawns, once the curse is lifted for good."

Jakotsu nodded and so Bankotsu walked back towards camp with a strange feeling in his gut. Eating at him. He couldn't describe it in words, but he'd never felt it before. He shrugged it off and went to go find the wench.

As Bankotsu was looking for the wench he thought, "It's time to break from that wretched half breed! Leave him to his enemies!"

He returned to everyone and ordered harshly, "Get up and pack, we're leaving."

Jai and Bobbi recognized his bloodshot look and bad breath as signs of drinking.

"Dammit….we are in deep hell right now" Jai thought to herself.

Knowing how a person was when they were drunk, Bobbi done what she was told.

Spinning on his heel Bankotsu growled to himself, "Now where did she go?!"

Looking around he spotted Kitty under a tree. "There she is." He grumbled. Walking over to her, he pulled her up off the ground. "Stay beside me and keep up." as he directed her to her bag. "Pack now." He ordered getting right into her face and standing over her to make certain she obeyed.

Kitty picked up a strange odor on his breath and her eyes widened. "Ah fuck!" she thought. "He's been drinking…" Kitty sighed and began packing her bag. After everyone had packed Bankotsu growled, "Move out!" as he spun around dragging Kitty by the elbow alongside him as he lead the way, with Jakotsu bringing up the rear.

Bankotsu thought, "It's time for them to train." Smirking he added to himself, "And I know just the place." It was a secret though, and he wasn't about say where. He led his 'soldiers' to an unguarded castle, and stood his ground.

Turning to face the group, he ordered. "Listen up! For your training you're all going to go that castle," he pointed to the castle before finishing, "Battle and Kill every last person inside!"

Kitty's eyes connected with his and she said, "You're not serious?!"

Bankotsu crossed his arms over his chest. "Dead serious." he answered calmly, as if he wasn't asking that much.

Bobbi was shocked at what Bankotsu had just said. "NO!! I will not do it!!" With a slight whimper, she covered her mouth as if she said something wrong to Bankotsu.

Tired of having his ass chewed by his leader over the wench's actions, Renkotsu reached out and yanked Bobbi by the hair scowling and hissed, "You're going to get us both killed!!! Just shut the hell up!!" Bobbi eyes widened in fear and she shut her mouth, tears leaking down her cheeks from the pain in her scalp; due to her hair being yanked so viciously.

Koga glared at the young mercenary and let out a, "No." his arms crossed over his chest armor, refusing to budge.

Remembering back to her training, Jai moved closer to Koga, as she replied, "I'm not yours to command! I kill only when my life, my family, or friends are threatened."

Kitty stated adamantly, "Neither am I! I will NOT condone the killing of innocents!" glaring at Bankotsu as if he were insane.

Charlie interrupted, very un-enthused in his tone. "What good does killing innocent people accomplish?"

Bankotsu, not one bit happy about having his orders disobeyed, and growing angrier by the second, clenched his fists and roared, "I gave an order now obey it!" glaring from one person to the next.

Slapping Bankotsu upside the cheek, Kitty shouted," What the hell is wrong with you?'

Grabbing her up by the wrist, Bankotsu said," I gave that damn order! Now do it! And don't EVER slap me again wench!"

"HEEL YOU BASTARD!!!" Bankotsu fell to the ground in a heap as Bobbi whimpered, fearing what he would do to her next.

"What the hell was THAT for?" Bankotsu said, "You maybe feisty but you better NEVER do that again! Remember who the leader is!"

Bankotsu stormed over and picked the woman up by her throat holding her off the ground glaring at her a silent moment. His fingers tightened slowly around her throat, his eyes boring into hers as his wrath of her insubordination raised its ugly head. "I'm sick of you and your mouth! It's time you learn just who is in charge around here," as he pulled her so that his face was right in hers. Bobbi eyes wide as she began to gasp for breath, nodding with fear in her eyes.

Jai looked at Bankotsu and said," Let her go. She will not do it again. She was just standing up for what she thought was right is all"

Koga approached and said calmly, "There are other ways of training."

Bankotsu glanced back at Koga, then back at Bobbi as he replied icily, "Still no excuse for insubordination." disgusted with the woman Bankotsu dropped her and faced Kitty clearing his throat and waiting.

Gasping for air, Bobbi thought to herself," That was too damn close" When Bankotsu had his back turned she stuck her tongue out at him.

Renkotsu gave her a hateful look. "I don't know why she insists on standing up to him…" Then he chuckled a bit. "I kind of like it though…"

Kitty cleared her throat. "I realize I was out of line." Staring at Bankotsu she added, "You are the leader. And I was out of line." A silent apology in her eyes as well.

With his chest puffed out and a look of satisfaction on his face, Bankotsu turned toward the group as he said, "We'll come up with another way of training," silently accepting her apology.

Kitty nodded and walked off gathering her bag and moved to one side of the group. "Best to just avoid him as much as I can and pray that damn sake wears off soon!"

Koga shook his head thinking, "He's learning that these girls are not like our women."

Jai breathed a sigh of relief that she wasn't being punished for standing up for her beliefs. Jak was pissed that he couldn't kill more people. Bankotsu was upset that Kitty wasn't beside him, but decided to let her be - for now. "Better stay away from him until the sake wears off"

Looking back, Jai noticed Charlie polishing Banryu the best he could. "I better keep him in line too or else we are all going to die…"

Bankotsu eying every one of his 'soldiers' ordered, "Get your stuff and move out." turning to walk off again.

Crying a bit to herself, Bobbi rubbed her neck as she followed behind the group, making sure she was dead last.

Growling to himself a bit, Charlie knew that he had to dethrone Bankotsu before it was too late. "I have to do something before we all die a horrible death."


An hour before sunset:

After a long day of traveling Bankotsu ordered everyone to stop. Kitty still not ready to be around him again, went about gathering rocks and wood for the fire.

Bankotsu faced the others and started handing out orders. "Jakotsu, Renkotsu, Bobbi, go collect water, nuts and berries. Jai and Koga, you have hunting."

Koga just shook his head as if saying, 'Duh!' to Bankotsu, after all, as a wolf, he was the perfect hunting machine.

Walking away from the camp, Jai muttered," He is going to get us all killed at this rate"

"Don't worry about him Jai, if he tries anything funny I will protect you and your friends" Koga said.

After seeing that Koga and Jai were gone, Bobbi, Renkotsu, and Jakotsu walked toward the forest.

IN THE FOREST:

Bobbi was not in the mood to talk to Ren. He hurt her and that was enough for her. She rubbed her head and began to cry softly to herself.

Renkotsu felt really bad about pulling her hair. "Oh dammit…" He thought to himself as he rubbed the back of his neck.

Bobbi saw Renkotsu looking at her and turned away as she picked up the sticks. "I want to go home I want to go home" She thought to herself over and over again.

Huffing at the wench's sudden change in behavior, Jakotsu was thinking of many ways to get back at her for talking back to Bankotsu like that. "That girl has got some guts to stand up to Ban like that but if she keeps up, he will kill her" Jakotsu licked his lips at the thought of some blood being shed.

"Bobbi, I..." Renkotsu began. He cringed as he tried to say what he wanted to say. "DAMMIT! This is harder than it looks!"

Shaking her head, Bobbi replied," Forget it, I will be gone soon. Once this curse is over, I will go back home to my life and you can go back to where you belong" As she walked by him, she felt something grab her arm. She looked to see Renkotsu grabbing her arm.

"Let Go of me" Bobbi demanded as she tried to break free.

Shaking his head, Renkotsu replied," Not until I do this" Bobbi was in shock as Renkotsu pulled her into his grasp and embraced her.

"What the hell are you doing?" Bobbi demanded.

"Huh, I see you got your feistiness back but I will not let you go until I tell you that I kind of—I kind of…" Renkotsu growled to himself. "DAMMIT!! Way to go Ren!"

"What? Kind of what?"

Before he could stop himself, Renkotsu turned red as he shouted," I love you." Cringing at his own comment, he thought to himself," DAMMIT!!!!"

Bobbi stood there in shock."What did you just say?" Renkotsu wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in to kiss her. They kissed for a while as the birds chirped in the sky.

Releasing her, he looked into her eyes and he whispered," I love you. I cannot hide it even though I have tried. I want you to be here with me. If I turn back to a corpse, I want to know love."

Bobbi freed herself from his grasp and replied, "I don't know. I don't understand what you would see in me."

Pulling her chin to his face, Renkotsu replied," You are a strong willed woman. That is what I see in you."

Bobbi turned red as she replied," Well in that case, I see a strong willed man. That is what I love about him."

Grinning from ear-to-ear, Renkotsu said," We should get back to the others."

Nodding, Bobbi walked picked up the sticks and walked behind Renkotsu. He looked at her and instinctly, slipped his open arm around her waist.

Jakotsu was irate about this sudden happening. "I must tell Bankotsu about this."

IN THE BACK OF THE FOREST NEAR THE RIVER

Seeing what could be good for their dinner, Jai said," We can have roasted fish tonight."

Nodding, Koga said," I am not too keen on fish but I guess it will have to suffice."

Jai carefully made sure her body was in the right position to catch the fish. She swung her hand above her head and caught a fish as it was heading downstream.

"How many should we get?" Koga said as he caught a couple of fish.

"Pretty good amount between the guys and Bobbi, I think we are going to need a lot." Jai said as she focused on the task at hand.

Looking up at the older woman, Koga said," Make sure you be careful about which fish to get. Some of them have sharp scales and if they get you, you can get poisoned easily.

"Don't worry I know all about fish." Jai said.

As they began to catch their dinner, Jai commented," Kitty has got some guts standing up to Bankotsu like that."

Nodding, Koga commented," I just hope he does not kill us for what she is doing."

"Don't worry if you want to worry about someone getting us killed keep an eye on Charlie. I think he would get us killed more than anyone." Jai said as she pulled up a huge fish.

Koga coughed and said," Well I think that red head that is with Renkotsu sure has got some guts."

"Oh Bobbi? Yeah she is a free spirit and Bankotsu knows that. He will try to break her any chance he gets but I don't think he will get even close to it." Jai said as she looked at the fish they collected. "I think this is enough fish."

"Yeah better get back to camp." Koga said as Jai climbed on his back.

"Don't forget we have to get Charlie some berries. He cannot eat fish." Jai commented as they took off through forest.

Nodding, Koga replied," We will stop by the bush not far from camp and get him some."

"Koga, can I ask you a question?" Jai asked.

"Okay what about?" Koga said.

"About Naraku. Where do you think he is hiding?"

Jumping a bit, Koga asked," How do you know about Naraku?"

Shaking her head, Jai said, "Let's just say he is well known where I am from."

"I don't know but I am sure it has something to do with Mt. Hakurai" Koga said as he motioned to the mountain near them.

Looking up, Jai said, "Yeah I have heard of that before too. I think he is using the Band of Seven to buy time."

"I agree with that." Koga said as Jai got off of his back and collected the berries.

Looking at her collection, Jai said," We better get back before Bankotsu sends out Jakotsu."

Koga laughed as they took off for the camp.

BACK AT CAMP

Bobbi and Renkotsu came back into camp carrying the firewood. As they did so, Jai and Koga returned as well with their catch. As Koga passed by the couple, he caught the same whiff that he had once before.

"I smell her essence on his body again ...did he kiss her again?" Koga thought to himself as he looked at the couple.

Noticing that Koga was looking at them, Bobbi blushed a bit as they put down the firewood and carefully arranged it.

"Renkotsu, can you start the fire so we can put the fish on?" Kitty asked.

Nodding, Renkotsu took out his jug and gulped his fluid. He carefully spewed it out and started the fire.

Bankotsu growled to himself as he counted to make sure everyone was back at camp. He glared at the young man who wanted to take his spot.

"Damn him its time I taught him a lesson"

Walking up to Charlie, Bankotsu said," Boy why the hell do you aggravate me so much?"

"Why the hell do you ask?" Charlie taunted back.

"That is it boy! I challenge you here and now!!" Bankotsu said as he raised his fists.

Smirking, Charlie replied," I never thought you were stupid enough to challenge someone with Banryu but then again, you have had it for a long time until a certain BOY came along and took it away. Fine. If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you get."

"DAMN!!! I thought this part was over! But I guess its just beginning! Bankotsu you are an idiot!" Kitty thought to herself, fearing how far Charlie would take the fighting. He had Banryu in his possession but yet Bankotsu still stood up and challenged him.

"Well? Come on Bankotsu unless you don't think you can handle a man who has got your Banryu" Charlie said as he taunted Bankotsu to come and get his Banryu.

Bankotsu growled as he ran toward the other teen, obviously mad.

Kitty's eyes widened in fear as she saw Charlie rushing toward Bankotsu, Banryu in mid swing at neck level as she looked on at the fight.

Charlie pointed Banryu straight out with his right arm, as the sharp tip of the halberd hovered on the hairs of Bankotsu's neck, centimeters away from cutting him down. "I am now the leader here so get used to it asshole"

"Never! I am Bankotsu, leader of the Band of Seven! I listen to no one!" Bankotsu said as he threw a punch at Charlie. He blocked the attack with Banryu which only deepened Bankotsu's anger.

Huffing at Bankotsu's comment, Charlie shot back," Well you still listen to that Naraku!"

"I have quit listening to him! Me and Jakotsu both!" Bankotsu said as he tried to surprise another attack on the young teen.

Everyone was in shock as they heard that Bankotsu was not listening to Naraku anymore. They were more scared now than shocked.

Bobbi looked at Renkotsu and asked," Will you leave from his side too?"

Huffing, Renkotsu replied," I never trusted that half demon. I was never on his side anyway."

Nodding, Bobbi watched as Bankotsu tried to roundhouse kick Charlie in the face. It missed the young teen but Charlie had a surprise for Bankotsu.

Charlie pointed Banryu up as the blade ran through the back of Bankotsu's hair to get his attention. "HEY. BANKOTSU! I'M STILL HERE."

Bankotsu smirking arrogantly used one finger to push Banryu away from his neck, as his eyes locked with the boy's. "Stay away from Kitty and nothing happens to you or her…" making sure the younger man understood.

Charlie brought Banryu to Bankotsu's chin, just at his neck. He seethed out coldly, "I don't care in the slightest what you have to say. I just want to be the leader now. I can get us lead us to winning against Naraku."

Kitty having regained her bearings sighed. She was seriously getting tired of the quarreling males. "Stop it already!" she snapped before she round house kicked Bankotsu, sending him crashing back first into a tree.

Before he could comprehend what had happened, Kitty faster than anyone expected, stormed over pure anger in her body. She pulled out her dagger and held it to Bankotsu's genitals, gently poking the tip into him so that it drew a spot of blood.

Bankotsu blinked and his breath hitched. His eyes slipped to the dagger and her hand and he thought, "Damn she sure knows how to get a guy hot... I just hope she doesn't slip."

Bobbi and Renkotsu just stood where they were at and sweatdropped at the same time.

Jai chuckled as she seen the mercenary back away from the girl.

"Please you two! Make up! And Bankotsu, maybe it is best to let Charlie try the hands at being the leader for a while..." Jai said trying to offer some up.

"NO WAY!! That boy is not commanding this group!" Bankotsu said as he huffed.

Sighing, Kitty said," Just for a while. He might know what he is doing."

Beaming, Charlie replied," I know what I am doing."

"But, there is a catch. Charlie can be the leader but Bankotsu gets to tell where we need to go and what to do." Jai replied finishing off what Kitty was thinking.

Huffing, Charlie looked at the mercenary and held out his hand. Bankotsu looked at it and eventually shook it.

"Deal." Bankotsu said, not happy one bit that the young teen was taking his spot.

Nodding to herself, Kitty said," Now that is settled, can we get through dinner in peace now?"

Charlie said," That is no problem Kitty."

"Fine." Bankotsu said as Jai and Koga put the fish on getting them ready to cook along with some vegetables that they had collected in the forest as well.

As the group sat down to eat their meal, Koga commented," You know we need to start planning how to kill Naraku."

"Isn't that obvious? We all need to work together" Bobbi said as she began eating on her 5th fish of the night.

Bankotsu growled as he replied," For once I agree with the wench. That seems to be the key here."

"But more importantly we need to find out some more about Naraku and what he is planning." Charlie said as he ate on his berries.

"But now Naraku will soon know that the Band of Seven are not listening to him anymore so he will be even more out for us." Jai replied as she took a bite of her food.

Everyone nodded as they finished up eating.

Night

The fire danced in the night sky as the group settled down for bed that night.

Yawning a bit, Jai spread out her sleeping bag as Koga kept an eye on her making sure that no one dared to mess with her.

"Do you think Naraku knows where we are at?" Jai asked.

"I believe so. Now that the Band of Seven are not following Naraku. He will know and he will come after all of us." Koga said.

Thinking for a moment, Jai nodded and said," I suppose you are right. Better strengthen our guard up. Night Koga."

"Night Jai." Koga said as he decided to keep an eye on the camp for the time being.

In the other corner not far from Jai, Bobbi stretched as she began setting up for the night. She looked at her body and realized that she was going to have to take a bath soon. Tonight she would not worry about it.

Slipping on her night shirt, Bobbi asked Renkotsu," Are you sure you want to get away from Naraku? I mean, he could kill you all."

"I know that risk Bobbi but I have not trusted Naraku from the start and I think it is best." Renkotsu growled as he watched Bobbi snuggle up to him.

"Well okay. Night." Bobbi said as she dozed off and went to sleep.

Charlie looked over the camp from his tree branch and looked up at the sky. "I did what you said Midoriko but tomorrow shall be another day and another mission."

Kitty looked up at the tree branch Charlie had settled for the night on and sighed to herself. "I miss my family so much right now...I hope that one day I will get to see them again."

"What are you thinking about?"

Looking down from the sky, Kitty seen Bankotsu had sat down next to her. She sighed as she replied," I just miss my family is all."

Bankotsu looked up at the sky as he muttered," Must be nice to have a family to miss."

Kitty asked," What?"

"Nothing. Night." Bankotsu said as he settled down for the night.

Sighing to herself, Kitty continued to look up at the sky. She dozed off just as the fire settled from the firepit.